Kohatu Toa Eco-Village

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Kohatu Toa Eco-Village

Located in RD2 Maungaturoto, Northland, New Zealand

Mission Statement
Self reliant community, low carbon, living lightly on the land.

Community Description
Kohatu Toa Eco- Kohatu Toa Eco-village is situated approximately one and a half hours’ drive from Auckland, just north of Kaiwaka off State Highway 1.

Kohatu Toa, the hill which gives the Eco-Village its name, overlooks the valley and has spiritual significance for some members of the community.

The community here is dedicated to:

•        Living simply, peacefully, and co-operatively.
•        Protecting and enhancing our environment.
•        Developing a resilient, sustainable economy.

The Eco-Village consists of seven house sites varying in size from 0.26ha to 1.31ha, within community land of approximately 100 acres. The title to each allotment includes an undivided one-seventh share of the common land.

The community currently consists of about 15 people, including 2 teenaged children.

As a community we are committed to living lightly on the land, to nurture the valley and ourselves in a way that honours our individuality and supports community development. Social opportunities include weekly community meals and celebrations. Groups of us work together on common land and projects as required. As well as our own gardens, orchards and livestock (mostly chickens) we have a community orchard block and space for community gardens. A small herd of Dexter cattle is run and managed by a sub-group.

We have a beautiful earthbrick building, owned by the community, which provides shared space for the community as well as meeting and kitchen facilities for workshops and events.

Housing
Status: We have land we have developed on
Area: 100 acres
Current Residence Types: Single-family homes, Room(s) in a house or building, Lots to build on
Current Number of Residences: 6
Housing Provided: Purchase, Rental
Land owned by: Individual community member(s)
Additional Comments:
Room available in Community House. Possibility for small rental units on common land.

Membership
Adult Members: 15
Child Members: 2
Non-member Residents: 1
Percent Women: 31-40%
Percent Men: 51-60%
Percent Transgender: 0%
Visitors accepted: Yes
Visitor Process:
If you require further information, please email. We cannot cope with people just calling in.
Open to new Members: Yes
Membership Process:
When house sites are available for sale and small rental negotiable.
Additional Comments:
We recognise the seasonal cycle on which our gardens depend using festivals similar to the celtic.

Economics
Dues, Fees, or Shared Expenses: Yes
Shared Income: None
Required Labor Contribution: Encouraged or suggested
Open to members with existing debt: Yes
Additional Comments:
Co-owners purchase house sites.
“Rates” for maintenance of essential services (eg roads, water)

Sustainability Practices
Energy Infrastructure: We use both systems.
Current renewable energy generation: 50-75%
Energy sources: Solar, In New Zealand a large percentage of grid energy is hydro, geothermal or wind.
Planned renewable energy generation: 100%
Planned food produced: From 50-75%
Food produced locally: Almost All, around 90%

Lifestyle
Common Facilities: Common House, Garden(s), Outbuilding(s), Swimming pond or pool, Fire pit, Orchard
Internet Available: Yes, individuals provide it
Internet Fast?: No, it is slow.
Cell Phone Service: Good for some people.
Shared meals: 1-3 times per month
Dietary Practice: Omnivorous (plants and animals), Local (food sourced within 150 miles), Organic (no pesticides or synthetic fertilizers), Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free
Dietary Choice or Restrictions: No – people may eat however they wish.
Special Diets OK: Yes
Alcohol Use: Yes, used occasionally.
Tobacco Use: Yes, used occasionally.
Additional Diet Comments:
Some households produce over 50% of their food, others much less
Several households are vegetarian.
No smoking allowed inside at Community events.
Education Style(s): Public Schooling
Healthcare Options: Up to each family or individual

Source: https://www.ic.org/directory/kohatu-toa-eco-village/
             http://users.actrix.co.nz/kohatutoa/